Delhi Cabinet clears urban shelter improvement board bill

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) The Delhi Cabinet today cleared the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board Bill, 2007 which provides for housing activities to be undertaken by the Board for the economically weaker sections and low-income group and poor categories.

At a meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the Cabinet also approved strengthening of mechanism for procurement of drugs and equipment for all Delhi Government Hospitals. Further, it discussed issues relating to filling the posts of Group 'C' and 'D' employees of Delhi Government hospitals.

Briefing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, Ms Dikshit said the revised version of the draft bill for formation of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has been cleared by the Cabinet.

The Bill provides for creation of a Board as a body corporate under the statutory control of the Delhi Government.

She said the Bill provides for housing activities to be undertaken by the board for economically weaker sections and low-income group and poor categories as also for setting up Basti Vikas samitis to assist and advice the Board in matters concerning such Bastis.

It also provides that the Board may undertake preparation and execution of local area plans.

The Board would also expedite environmental improvement in urban slums. Delhi has been witnessing a very fast pace of immigration and urbanisation, which makes it imminent to tackle these complex issues on an emergent basis.

Ms Dikshit expressed confidence that the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board would be able to tackle all complex issues related to slum and JJ clusters on an emergent basis to provide a planned look to the Capital-city.

Ms Dikshit said the Cabinet had also given its nod to a proposal of strengthening process of procurement of drugs and medical equipments.

The Chief Minister said her government was committed to streamline procedure of procurement of drugs and equipments for all Delhi Government hospitals to ensure smooth supply of medicines to the patients.

The strengthened procedure of procurement would bring improvement in healthcare in the Hospitals and enhance level of satisfaction of the patients. It would also ensure effective and timely procurement of medical supply.

The Cabinet also discussed in length issues relating to filling up of the posts of Group 'C' and 'D' of Delhi Government hospitals as hospitals have been facing delays in the recruitment which is affecting medical services there.

The Government would take urgent suitable steps to overcome shortage of nurses, para-medics and nursing orderlies.

UNI